Chuck's Update

Dear family and friends,

All summer, I was planning on coming back to BJ and get the teaching biology degree to get certified in teaching high school.

Well, just 3 weeks ago I found out that I can’t get another B.S. from BJU, but since I got a B.S. in Biology and already have been certified in Elementary Education, I can just add on an additional area of certification without any further course work, but just take the Praxis II test in Biology, and I’ll be certified to teach Biology.

I agonized over what I should do next--I desperately wanted to do God's will, but didn’t know what His will was. It’s times like these that perhaps I need to think on how I can bring God glory and focus more on being the man God wants me to BE rather than focusing on what He wants me to DO.

I also found out that Pensacola (PCC) in Florida has a state certified masters in teaching science—a field I feel I need more experience and preparation in before I begin teaching. However, the courses are offered only during the summer sessions, and not Fall and Spring.

So, school doors were kind of closing, and I didn’t know what to do next. My brother suggested I email the principal in Guam that I met last summer, and who offered me a science teaching position, to see if he still had an opening. I put it off a few weeks and then reluctantly--because I was scared he might actually have an opening--I contacted that principal in Guam (where Ginger is) and he said he still needed a Biology teacher! Well, I prayed about it, and the pieces just seemed to fit together and a door open wide, so I told the Lord: Lord, if you want me to do this, please let me know. Numerous family members and people at my church told me I ought to go for it. I was praying "Lord, I think this is your will, and I'm going for it, and if this isn't your will, please stop me." I still wasn't sure, but I told the principal a few days later that I was interested and he was overjoyed because he was praying that someone would come, and I had been on his mind for teaching a Biology class, because they were one teacher short.

All of this in combination, although there's still some fear and anxiety, has given me a peace about it.

So, to make a long story longer :) I sent in my application and resume today and he said he wanted to hire me and would send me the contract by email and arrange for me to fly to Guam this Sunday! Talk about sudden! But that's the way God works sometimes!

Thank you for your prayers, and I know I'll need some more as a new teacher in a new country! I'll be praying for y'a’ll as many of you are starting school again soon. I'’ll miss you guys. I thank God for the opportunity and time I had to get to know you. Keep in His Word and be faithful in doing whatever He has put before you. I pray that God will direct each of you to the place and ministry He has for you.

I plan to leave this Sunday (July 30th) at 6:30 AM and arrive in Guam 24 hours later. Please pray that I’ll have a safe trip and opportunity to be a witness while traveling. Also, please pray that God would use me to impact those around me in Guam for Christ. Amen!

My BJU address will expire soon, so my new email address is:
chkannon@netzero.net

Please let me know how things are going for you and if there's anything I can pray for.

God bless you all,
Charles